Team9nine

I’ll disagree on this point. Braid is the weakest by far - and it’s not even a close contest. It loses nearly half of it’s true (unknotted) tensile strength (40-55 percent) once a knot is introduced. Nylon and fluoros measured the same way generally run between 10-30 percent depending. It’s why braid seems so indestructible, because they have to rate it on the pkg at around half its true tensile strength.

Since you brought this point up again, I’ll ask again, since no one was able to help answer this question last time…can you refer or link me to any objective data supporting this? I ask because I have only found data to support this argument in line tests higher than most bass anglers ever use; around 50 pound and up. In the couple studies showing data for lighter pound test fluoro (<=40 lb.) there was essentially no difference between nylon and fluoro SS curves. So far the only thing I’ve seen posted in support of this ‘stretches w/greater force’ argument is a quote off Berkley’s website, which is mostly worthless IMO. You would think as bad as the pros and line companies got dragged over the coals for their ‘fluoro is low stretch’ advertising hype for years, at least one company could provide data supporting this new line of reasoning if true. Thanks

Never owned the Pocket Fisherman, but as a kid in the 1970s, my parents bought be a Fishing Machine, which interestingly enough was a St. Croix product - and a piece of junk from what I can remember - lol

Used to in the past when I was tourney fishing, but not anymore. Now I strive for minimal tackle and simplicity in approach. I either go with what I think will be the best options for the water and conditions, or simply with what I want to catch them on that day. Most days it works out, but some days it doesn’t. So what? I’ll just get ‘em next trip

Gotta’ admit, I was totally disappointed with this thread after reading the title and then clicking on it ? I was expecting a good music thread - lol. Carry on…

Do your initial wraps, however many you choose, then two alternating half hitches. Pull and lock the knot in tight, cut the mono/fluoro tag off, then two more alternating half hitches. Finally, Rizzuto finish. Done ?

Craig Defronzo/Micro Munch Tackle He was on the site as Earthworm77 Was 2 years ago in Feb since he passed

I have probably spent as much time as anyone pondering and studying this whole big bass subject. I will say, I really like these thoughts. I think we don’t spend near enough time examining the former, while way overanalyzing the latter. I’ll leave another quote I recently stumbled across from a recognized big bass expert to think about; “There isn't any presentation that out fishes good luck.”

If you see it, score it

Write-up I saw said no drag, period. Will have to wait and see as there are hints of conflicting info depending on what/where you read. I wouldn't think so, but not released yet, so may just take some time to show up elsewhere. Found write-ups on the most recent BassBlaster and on the KK website.

I know it won’t backreel, but it should thumbbar real good ?

I have to admit, this new reel has my attention. Look close...no drag Might have to buy one to try just to spite all those companies now removing the anti-reverse switch on their spinning reels - lol. Finally, a reel built for the backreeler/thumb-barrers of the world (however few of us there are). Could be an epic fail, or the greatest thing since the original Shimano Castaic - time will tell. I'll be curious to see what sales look like (how much actual interest). I might have to bite

Define “better”… If you like the double uni, stick with it. Many others like it, too. I refuse to use it given other knot options.

Were the deep bites when the bait was up in the water column vs. on the bottom with deadstick? When a bass sucks in a bait that is up off the bottom, the bait and all the water around/behind it flows into its mouth. When it is trying to suck a bait up from off the bottom, the bottom acts like a wall, and the volume of water moved is potentially less because the bottom disrupts and/or blocks flow from one direction. Might be a possible explanation…

This was posted by Rick Clunn today…and I still have two working ABU rounds - need to check model numbers though: “At last nights grand opening Johnny Morris had a tribute to a person that most of you will not be familiar with, Len Borgstrom. Len was once the President of Abu Garcia fishing reels. They manufactured what I still consider the finest bait casting reel ever made, the 5000 and 5500 models. Being made in Sweden they were the Rolex watches of fishing reels. After winning back to back BASS Master Classic World Championships in 1976 and 1977 they asked me to join the company. That’s when I met Len and one of the first questions he asked me was, “How can we improved our reel?” Like I said, I considered it the best already, but most casting reels including the Garcia required a little hand gymnastics to disengage the spool. I put my hand on the spool and demonstrated, “Why I couldn’t push a release mechanism with my thumb in that position?” That was the birth of the very first ThumbBar on a casting reel and is pretty universal on all casting reels today. I was the first competitive angler to have one in his hands. Len left Abu Garcia in 1981, as did I in that same time frame. Len wrote a book about Abu Garcia several years later.”

Grow big or stay little; either will help you survive, or not. Lay a million eggs or give birth to one, it makes no difference. Wear gaudy colors or avoid display. As long as you have a plan or an approach you can live with and stick to, you’ll be fine regardless of the specifics. We must repeat…

Blasphemy!

That article, which appeared in In’Fisherman magazine, is still considered by many to be THE best piece of work on the subject of finesse fishing. The content and information in those old I-F issues was just incredible. As for definitions or categories, to me, it’s a bell curve with the two categories being the ‘outliers’ if you will on that spectrum. Finesse on the far left, power on the far right, and everything else just occupying the middle of the curve and not falling into either bucket - the rest is ‘just fishing’ - none of this, “If I fish some 10” bait slow and subtle on 10 lb line, is that still finesse?” type stuff - lol. I also fall back on the historical definitions in this regard as to what is “finesse” and what is “power,” right or wrong. Not everything fits into one of those two buckets…in fact, most presentations don’t fit either. Finally, to the OP’s original question, there are definitely times, especially in spring it seems like, where you will absolutely catch more and bigger fish on bigger, more aggressive baits while hardly getting bit on finesse. We never pinned down the exact circumstances, but it was a topic of good debate and experiences many years back among Ned’s early Midwest Finesse discussion group.

Sounds like you're coming out in pretty good shape given the circumstances. Great to hear! Get some rest and give yourself plenty of time to recover

This ^^ , and the details in the previous post linked above, cover the story. The gentleman in the OP’s video is misleading, if not outright incorrect, as the knot version they show (quick and simple), is not the one the IGFA tested and proved stronger - that was the complicated Bimini version. And Salt Strong did test this version against the FG and it failed miserably. That said, and as has been discussed here before, it might be a perfectly great knot for your application, because brute connecting knot strength rarely comes into play over the course of normal fishing. This is reflected by the large number of anglers here who swear by any number of different knots ‘never having failed them before’ in all of our previous knot threads.

Lol - on average, we only get East winds about 15 percent of the time here, but that increases to a bit over 20 percent in late summer. The best part is that East winds are almost always lighter, and put a good breeze on a lot of banks and structures that rarely get winds, so I view them as actually creating unique angling opportunities, and always try and take advantage of the fact. Seventy percent of the time we deal with South or West winds here. East winds are a nice change (as are North winds, but North winds are usually cooler and gustier).

From Bassmaster: The somewhat fictional characters were the stars of the longest-running feature in BassmasterMagazine — “The Adventures of Harry ’n’ Charlie” — lasting from their debut in the July 1971 issue through most of 2006. The feature lived on in digital form on Bassmaster.com into 2010, but somehow the dateline of Swampgas Corners didn’t quite fit its new online environment.

Wind from the east doesn't bother me in the least, because fishing pressure is decreased from all the superstitious anglers who have been fleeced into believing this conceit. I say, fish still have to feast. Word peace out...

In this case, I’m going with short answer equals ‘No.’ You might be able to see fish hanging on weedlines, suspended out in the open holes, etc., but to just buy a unit and bring it out there with (I’m assuming) little to no experience reading them, or setting them up (dialing in), you won’t be able to ‘shoot through the weeds’ and simply see fish. Even in the best case scenario, if the vegetation is pretty thick and heavy, ability would be extremely limited. Save your money. JMHO

Goodbye Magnasnap Used it here and there over the years, but was never a big fan. Did like several others they’ve also eliminated though. Time marches on…